Are you planning your next road trip with family and considering renting a car in Spain? While the public transportation network is excellent in Spain, a road trip is the best way to explore this country.
Renting a car can be key to unlocking the full potential of this beautiful country. But as exciting as it may seem, renting a car abroad also comes with its fair share of challenges.
Do not worry – with these top tips for finding the best deals and troubleshooting any issues that come up, your time behind the wheel will be enjoyable and stress-free!
Read on as we share our insight into how to get a reliable car rental in Spain to make sure your Spanish road trip is hassle-free!
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Renting a Car in Spain Best Companies: Try Discover Cars
When it’s time to search for car rental companies and rent a car online, try Discover Cars.
🚗 Discover Cars is an international car rental website that provides rental car bookings for most destinations, including many Spain locations such as:
They search through many local and international car rental companies to get you the best deal.
👉 Search for a car rental in Spain with Discover Cars.
Our 10 Tips for Renting a Car in Spain
There are many things to keep in mind when searching for a car rental in Spain. Our tips should help you find the best rental for your need so you can have a hassle-free road trip with your family.
Also, if you are thinking of renting a campervan instead, check out our post for all our tips and the best campervan rentals.
1. Request a Diesel Car if Possible
Diesel is usually cheaper than gasoline in most countries around the world, including Spain.
Gasoline doesn’t last as long as diesel, which means you’ll spend more money at the petrol station.
2. Confirm the Mileage Policy
Unlike the US and Canada (where, most of the time, the car rental includes unlimited mileage), in Spain, you’ll be offered the option between limited and unlimited mileage.
It’s important to check the mileage policy to ensure you won’t be charged extra.
Limited mileage is often cheaper, but it can become expensive if you travel beyond the limit.
If you’re going on a long road trip (check out our 14-day Spain road trip itinerary), it’s worth paying a bit extra for unlimited mileage.
This will come up cheaper in the long run. Plus, when exploring a new country, you won’t need to worry about how many kilometers you’ve driven so far.
3. Validate the Type of Transmission (Automatic versus Manual)
The majority of rental cars in Spain (and Europe) are manual, while the standard in North America is automatic. If you really want an automatic car, you’ll have to ask for it.
However, something important to know is that automatic car rentals are much more expensive than manual ones. They are also less common, so car rentals in Spain may have a limited inventory of automatic cars.
This is why we suggest learning how to drive a manual before arriving in Spain, especially if you’re traveling on a budget.
4. Check if you Can Go to Another Country
Spain is close to many other European countries and shares a border with Portugal and France. If you’re planning a road trip around Europe starting from Spain, you want to make sure that you can take the car out of the country.
Most rentals will allow you to go to a few different countries in the European Union but validate with them to allow bad surprises.
5. Read Carefully the Insurance Coverage
Accidents and minor damages can happen on the road. This is important to read the insurance coverage carefully.
Car rental companies don’t give you the same insurance coverage you would often gain with your own car. For example, a car rental can limit your liability for paying damages in certain situations but not in every situation.
Also, before using the car rental daily insurance, check with your credit card if you have car rental insurance included in your credit card’s benefits. It can save you a lot of money, as car rental insurance can easily add $20-40$ per day.
American Express BonVoy credit card and Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card offer great benefits to travelers, including car rental insurance.
6. Consider Renting a Small Car
When renting a car in Spain, you need to consider the size of the car. Although the car must have enough capacity to accommodate all your passengers, a smaller car will be much better in certain situations.
It all depends on the type of trips you’re going to do. For example, if you plan to visit large cities like Barcelona or Madrid with your families, you might want to look for smaller car options. It will be easier to pack in busy streets.
But if your road trip is mostly outside main cities and driving into National Parks, renting a bigger car won’t be an issue.
However, if you would love to explore off-the-beaten-path towns and villages, then we recommend renting a small car. Most towns have narrow streets and alleys, and it can be a bit complicated to drive through those with a big car.
Regardless of the destination, if you aren’t a confident driver, it’s going to be easier for you to park a smaller car. Parking isn’t easy to find in many Spanish destinations, and you may need to park in a very narrow parking space on the street.
7. Avoid Peak Times and Busy Months if Possible
Renting a car isn’t always the best idea. If you’re planning to stay in a destination and do one or two-day trips, public transport will be cheaper and more convenient.
Some roads in Spain can get very busy during the summer months. The last thing you want to do is be stuck in traffic from a beach day trip.
8. Do Not Pick or Drop the Rental Off at an Airport
We know how convenient pick and drop-off at the airport can be. However, it comes with an extra cost.
Car rentals at the airport charge a premium. Although convenience sometimes is worth the fee, it isn’t always the case.
If possible, check the car rental offices once you’re in the city as they offer lower rates. Plus, most of the time, you won’t need a car when exploring the city itself.
So you can save a few days on the rental (and save a lot in city parking fees)
9. Compare Car Rental Prices Online
Doing your homework by comparing car rental prices online can save you money.
There are plenty of websites where you can compare different car rentals, what’s included, the price, and the location.
We highly recommend comparing a few car rentals before choosing the one for you. You can start here with DiscoverCars.Com rental car comparator.
10. Have a Look at the Reviews
You can’t only rely on reviews from customers, but it’s worth checking the car rental reviews before you rent a car in Spain.
It’s important to know that looking at reviews won’t guarantee anything. You’ll either have a good or a bad experience. But if you see too many bad reviews, you may want to consider a different car rental.
Don’t only check out the reviews from the car rental website but other websites like Trustpilot, where you’ll find less filtered reviews.
11. Ask if They Have Kids’ Car Seats
If you’re traveling with young children, you’ll have to make a decision on car seats. Will you bring your own car seats, or will you be renting them from the car rentals in Spain?
There are good and bad for each scenario, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Will you be traveling by car for your entire trip?
- Are you fighting to get to Spain?
- Can the car rental guarantee a kid’s car seat upon reservation?
Personally, we don’t like to carry our kids’ car seats when we are fighting because it’s heavy and takes up a lot of space. Plus, we generally don’t rent a car from the airport as we take a few days to explore the main city (and we use public transportation).
But it’s true that the quality of kids’ car seats can vary from car rental company to another one.
Another option can be to buy a car seat at your destination. In the end, it can come up to the same price as paying the extra charge for the kids’ car seat from the rental company.
Travel Car Seat Mom has great information on the subject if you are interested.
Bonus Renting a Car in Spain Tip: Find the Best Car Hire in Spain
There are a lot of different options when it comes to car rentals in Spain. Each company has its pros and cons. It’s important to compare prices, but also what’s included (ex: kilometers, other countries) and insurance coverage.
Alamo
Alamo has locations in 36 main cities across Spain. They have all-inclusive low rates and a good range of cars – including excellent options for families.
Start your car reservation with Alamo now!
Hertz
Hertz is a very well-known car hire in Spain. They have over 80 branches in Spain, including in popular destinations such as Madrid and Barcelona, with convenient pickup locations.
Hertz also offers good deals, and in the case you find a lower price, they’ll refund the difference.
Europcar
Europcar gives you endless options to find the perfect car for your adventure in Spain. They have offices in Spain’s main and popular destinations. But what we love the most about Europcar is their quick car pick-up process.
It consists of an online check-in which speeds up the process of picking up your car. You’ll be happy it goes fast, especially if you’re picking up your car rental in Spain after a long overnight trans-Atlantic flight.
Find your perfect car with Europcar now!
Enterprise
Not only does the enterprise have locations in international and national airports, but in many neighborhoods where you can hire a car to explore the city.
They offer very convenient one-way rentals within mainland Spain. However, you need to check for any extra fees.
Reserve your vehicle with Enterprise now!
FAQ: Renting a Car in Spain
What do I need to know before renting a car in Spain?
Before renting a car in Spain, you should be aware of the following:
- You must be at least 21 years old and have a driver’s license for at least one year.
- Familiarize yourself with local regulations before getting behind the wheel.
- Make sure that your rental agreement includes full insurance coverage and breakdown assistance for peace of mind on the road.
- Carrying a credit card and a valid International Driving Permit when renting a car in Spain is recommended.
- Ask about any extra fees ahead of time, so there won’t be any surprises when you pick up your vehicle.
Is it easy to rent a car and drive in Spain?
Yes, renting a car and driving in Spain is relatively easy. Driving regulations and traffic laws are generally similar to other European countries, and the roads are well-maintained. The process of renting a car is straightforward, with rental companies providing good customer service. Most rental agencies require a valid driver’s license, insurance, and credit card as part of the rental agreement.
Can I drive in Spain as a tourist?
Yes, you can drive in Spain as a tourist. You must have a valid driver’s license from your country, plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). You must also carry proof of third-party insurance while driving in Spain, and most car rental companies in Spain will require you to pay a deposit with a credit card first.
Can I rent a car and drive around Spain?
Yes, you can rent and drive around Spain. But you should check the local traffic laws and regulations for road safety first before doing so. You may also need an international driver’s license and proof of insurance before renting a car.
What are the rules for driving in Spain?
- Remember to wear seatbelts.
- Avoid consuming alcohol if you’re driving.
- Overtaking a vehicle must be done on the left side only of the car you want to pass.
- Speed limits must apply at all times, with fines for those who exceed them. Speed limits in Spain are as follows: 30 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km per hour on open roads, and 120 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways.
- No using of mobile phones while driving.
Final Thoughts: Renting a Car in Spain – Our Tips
There are many car rental options in Spain. They each have their pros and cons, but when it comes to renting a car in Spain, make sure to ask:
- if you have unlimited kilometers
- if you can enter another European country
- what is the insurance coverage
Let us know where which car rental company you’ve decided to use for your Spain road trip.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like to read the following articles:
- Spain Itinerary: A 14 Days Family Adventure
- Hiking in Spain in April: What to Know & Our Best Trails
- Best Destinations for Visiting Spain With Toddlers
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.